In my setup, moving my Steam library to a network drive did not make game loading as bad as I expected. That is a personal observation, not a benchmark: loading depends on the game, storage, network, and how each is configured. Steam documents moving games between library locations, but its guidance does not establish network shares as an officially supported place to run games.
What my experience does—and does not—show
The useful takeaway is that a network-drive library can be workable in a particular setup, not that every NAS or network share will load games quickly. There is no named, published comparison in the sources here measuring Steam game load times from network storage against a local SSD or hard drive. I therefore cannot attach a general number to the difference or claim my result applies to a particular game or network configuration.
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A fair performance comparison needs to time the same game under repeatable conditions and specify what was measured: for example, launch to main menu or a particular level load. It should also identify the local and network storage, the network connection, the game, and whether the run was a first or repeat launch. Downloading or copying game files is a different workload from loading a game while it runs.
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Steam’s documented workflow is for creating alternate library locations and moving installed games between them. In the Steam client, open Settings > Storage to manage library locations. To move an installed game, open its installed-files controls and choose the option to move it to another library. Steam’s move guidance describes a different location on the same computer; it is not a promise that every mounted NAS or network share will work as a running library.
#1 Best Overall
- Customize your drive’s RGB lighting with the downloadable WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows only) to show off your style and make every play personal.
- Kick loading into overdrive with a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 interface and speeds up to 2,000MB/s. (Based on read speed. 1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors.)
- Compatible with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles. {Compatible with PlayStation 4 Pro or PS4 with system software version 4.50 or higher, PlayStation 5 (Play and store PS4 games; archive PS5 games), Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S (Play and store Xbox One games; archive Xbox Series X|S games).}
- Keep more of the latest and largest titles installed and ready to launch with capacities of up to 2TB. (1TB = 1 trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment.)
- Built with WD_BLACK toughness thanks to a shock-resistant structure, this durable drive can survive a drop of up to two-meters.
If Steam does not see files correctly or an installation has problems, Steam lists repairing a library folder and verifying installed game files among its troubleshooting options. Those steps can address library or file-integrity issues, but they do not turn a network share into a documented compatibility guarantee. Steam’s moving-installation guidance, download and update management guidance, and installation troubleshooting steps explain the supported library controls.
Don’t confuse a network transfer with game loading
Steam’s Local Network Game Transfers feature copies installation and update files from one Steam client to another over a local network. Steam Support says a modern PC can transfer game content at 100 MB/sec over a wired network connection; that is a statement about transferring content, not a measured game load time from NAS storage. A transfer rate cannot, on its own, predict how quickly a game will launch or load a level. See Steam’s explanation of Local Network Game Transfers.
Rank #2
- Get NVMe solid state performance with up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds in a portable, high-capacity drive(1) (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device & other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
- Up to 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance mean this tough drive can take a beating(3) (Previously rated for 2-meter drop protection and IP55 rating. Now qualified for the higher, stated specs.)
- Use the handy carabiner loop to secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind.
- Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256‐bit AES hardware encryption.(3)
- Easily manage files and automatically free up space with the SanDisk Memory Zone app.(5). Non-Operating Temperature -20°C to 85°C
Steam’s external-drive warning is relevant, but not a NAS test
Steam Support says, “It is not recommended that you install Steam to an external hard drive, due to potential performance issues.” That warning is useful context when considering storage away from the computer, but it is not a controlled test of every NAS, mapped drive, or network-share setup. It should not be recast as a measured result for network loading. Steam’s page also notes a save-file caveat, so check where a game’s saves are stored before moving its installation. Steam’s moving-installation and games guidance covers the warning and save considerations.
The Tool Desk
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Players have described using NAS or network shares for Steam files, including mapped-share setups and remote installation arrangements. These posts are individual anecdotes with differing hardware and configurations; they are not controlled performance comparisons or official assurances of compatibility. They can suggest that people experiment with network storage, but they cannot establish expected load times for your setup. Examples include discussions in r/synology and r/SteamDeck.
Rank #3
- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
How to judge your own setup
If you want to know whether your library is performing acceptably, compare a game on local storage and the network share using the same load phase and repeatable conditions. Record the drive or NAS storage, wired or wireless connection, game, and whether you timed launch, menu arrival, or a level. Keep installation and update transfer speeds separate from those timings; the available Steam transfer figure is not a proxy for live game loading.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
Rank #4
- NONSTOP SPEED: Race through projects with our fastest SSD for creators; Load, edit and transfer with sustained read and write speeds of up to 2,000MB/s1; The T9 Portable SSD performs at high speeds even during longer processes
- DYNAMIC THERMAL GUARD: When you’re elbow-deep in a passion project, the T9 Portable SSD stays cool; Its advanced thermal solution withstands and controls heat to keep the SSD at ideal temperatures—even in heavy use2
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether you’re using a desktop, camera or a gaming console3, count on the T9 Portable SSD for extensive compatibility; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- STRONG. SOLID. STABLE: From concept to completion – the T9 Portable SSD gives you the longevity to last through heavy use with one convenient drive that dares to go the distance
- WORKS LIKE MAGIC: Your T9 Portable SSD performs like new with the always up-to-date Magician Software; With firmware updates, extra encryption and continual monitoring of your drive health, it works like a charm
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